Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

The Sony A230 is a 10.2-megapixel DSLR that is geared toward entry-level shooters. The Sony A230 replaces the Sony A200, which was virtually identical in specifications to the A230. As a result, the A230 is more of a refreshed version of the A200 rather than an all new model. Unlike the A200 though, the Sony A230 kit lens is an 18-55mm lens rather than the 18-70mm range provided by the A200’s kit lens.

The key difference between the Sony A230 and A330 is the lack of Live View and an articulating LCD. Other than that (and those are kind of big differences in my book), the A230 is essentially the same camera. [Read more…]

Sony has finally officially unveiled its new entry-level DSLRs, the A230, A330 and A380. The Sony A230 and A330 feature 10.2 megapixel sensors, while the A380 features a 14.2 megapixel sensor. The A330 and A380 both feature the popular quick autofocus Live View system that made the A300 and A350 so popular, along with the tilting LCD.

The new DSLRs appear to be refreshed versions of their respective predecessors, the A200, A300 and A350. Sony is promoting the reduction in weight and size as an advantage of the new models. While I’ll gladly welcome a reduction in weight, I think the size of the prior models was just about right. (See PB’s Sony A350 Review) We’ll see if the change in size adversely affects the handling.

The cameras will be available for pre-order beginning on May 18th. The will come in kit form with an 18-55mm lens. The Sony A230 kit carries an MSRP of $550. The A330 and A380 come in at $650 and $850, respectively.

Of course all of the cameras will feature SteadyShot (i.e., the internal sensor-based image stabilizer). As was the case with the A300 and A350, their respective replacements, the A330 and the A380 will offer the tilting LCD screen. Unfortunately, it appears that the LCD tilt function is pretty much the same as it was last generation – so there’s no adjustment to aid with portrait-oriented shots. Of course, the solid Live View function also remains intact.

It also appears that the new Alpha DSLRs will feature the same megapixel quantities as their respective predecessors – A230 = 10.1 megapixels, A330 = 10.1 megapixels, and A380 at 14.2 megapixels. We also know that senstivity will only reach ISO 3200 (at least on the A380).

Clearly aiming toward the consumer crowd, Sony has freshened up the graphical display to more clearly convey the effect that shutter and aperture choices have on the exposure. Also featured is a directory to explain what different shooting modes do. These are both things that Nikon or Canon has done in one form or the other over the past generation or two of entry-level DSLRs.

Gap Intelligence may have the drop on the latest Sony DSLR lineup. Earlier this week, we dropped the news of the Sony A330, which is all-but-confirmed via Sony’s own support page. Now, Gap Intelligence is tweeting that the new models will be the A230 and A380 in addition to the A330.

Sony’s new DSLRs: Alpha DSLR-A230, DSLR- A330, and DSLR- A380. That is all.